So now it’s all about ability

A South Island principal says some boys are missing out because of a lack of male primary school teachers.

But the Ministry of Education says it’s about the quality of teaching, not the gender of the teacher.

Really? About quality teaching now is it?

[…]The Kaitangata Primary School teacher says your gender doesn’t make you a better teacher, but he says it’s important students have both female and male role models.

“For a lot of the children at schools and inner city schools where I’ve taught, you’d be the only positive male in the family, if not the only male that was present in their lives, and I think that’s crucial.”

Good point.

Mr Siataga has noticed fewer and fewer men working in the industry. He says pay is a big problem, but the stigma around men working with children is also to blame.

“That makes males more wary about being in the profession, I think.”

Yep. In other words guys don’t want to risk being seen as kiddy fiddlers so they avoid primary school teaching altogether. All men are rapists, after all /sarc.

[…]Ministry of Education figures show just 12 percent of primary school teachers are male, compared to 40 percent of high school teachers.

The principals federation and the union say while the lack of male teachers is a concern, the bigger worry is a major teacher shortage across the country.

They say making teaching more appealing in general through better pay and less stress will encourage more people – male and female – to the profession.

Yes, but there will still only be 12% male primary school teachers. Good God, this is almost as bad as the government ending poverty by defining it as a mean value.

Mr Saitaga says fewer male teachers also means fewer boys are encouraged to take up teaching.

“They’re not seeing males in those jobs, you know it’s not going to happen.”

Exactly.

The Ministry of Education says research shows the quality of teaching, rather than the gender of the teacher, is what’s important.

Not enough female mechanics? Outrageous. We need to encourage more women into the auto trades.

Not enough female firemen? Sexism! Women can do anything!

Not enough women in management? Outrageous and sexist! Smash the glass ceiling!

Not enough female science and math teachers? We need more female science teachers so that we get more girls into science and maths!

Too few male primary school teachers? Meh. It’s about ability not gender.